Protecting biodiversity key to food security, adaptation - expert

"Agriculture will be very strongly impacted by climate change all over the world. How do we adapt agriculture to future climate conditions? With genetic resources, to adapt the crops… so if we lose biodiversity we will have fewer options to adapt," said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, secretary general of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), as reported by Alertnet.

He added that natural areas could act as a buffer to absorb and lessen climate change induced extreme weather effects on agriculture. Crop diversity also means resistance to pests and diseases. Finally, Mr Ferreira de Souza Dias called on the private sector to team up with governments to preserve and promote biodiversity.